Refrigerating apparatus



Dec. 3l, 1929. o. c. oLsEN REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 5. 1927 Patented Dec. 3l, 19x29 STATES PATENT OFFICE @LAF C. OLSEN, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR 0F TWO-THIF'DS T0 THE BORDEN COM- PAN Y, OF WARREN, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO REFRIGEBATING APPARATUS Application filed November 5, 1927. Serial No. 231,266.

This invention relates to improvements in refrigerating apparatus, more particularly iioat control mechanisms.

e In the so-called flooded system the ,refrig- 5 crating unit consists of a header or boiler with a series of loops connected theretoone end below and the other above the normal liquid level inthe boiler, and with a float located in theheader controlling a valve for admitting liquid refrigerant thereto. The cost of this type of apparatus is relatively high, the amount of refrigerant required for its operation is lar e, and its construction involves a considerale numberof joints, that is, between the loops and the boiler or header, which joints are subject to possible leakage. One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a valve for theuintake line of the refrigerating unit or eva orating coil, which valve shall be controlled liy a lioat located in a Heat chamber in the return line fromk the refrigerating unit to the compressor, these two lines being out of communication with each other.

Another object is the provision of afloat control valve which shall render it possible to employ a relatively small amountl of refrigerant inthe system of which the valve is a part, and shall make it feasible to employ a single continuous coil for theA refrigerating unit instead of a series of independent loops. Other objects and features of novelty will appear as I proceed with the description of that embodiment of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawin in which- 'ig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of amay be incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of a float chamber embodying the invention.

In the drawings, a compressor or pump of l conventional form is illustrated at 10 lfor delivering compressed gaseous refrigerant to a co'xidensor` coil 11, from the opposite end of which liquid refrigerant finds its way into a liquid container 12. The pressure above the liquid in the container 12 forces liquid upwardly through pipe 13 on its way to one end refrigerating system in which my inventionl of a refrigerating unit 14 which consistsr preferably of a single continuous coil, as shown, or a plurality of coils connected in series. From the opposite end of this unit liquid and gaseous refrigerant is discharged into a casing 15, containing the float chamber 15', preferably through an opening 16 at the bottom of the chamber. From a point 17 above the maximum liquid levelin the chamber a return pipe. 18 c0nveys the 10W pressure gaseous refrigerant back to the compressor 10. Now, referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, in which the float control mechanism is illustrated more or less in detail, it will be noted that the casing 15 is provided in one side with an opening 19, which is normally closed by a cover pla-te 20, fastened to the casing by means of bolts 21, with a packing ring 22 interposed. This cover plate is considerably thickened near the center and is there provided with a pair of spaced threaded bosses 23 and 24.

which are intended for v the reception` of threaded connectors upon the upper end of pipe 13 and upon the intake end of refrigerating unit 14, respectively.

On the rear side of the cover plate 20, di` rectly opposite the'boss 23, is a conical valve seat'25, the point of which is connected with boss'23 by a passage 26 of small-bore. At one side of the valve seat 25 there is a laterally extending passage 27, also of 'small bore, which -is connected with the bossj124 by a further passage 29. '30 is a threaded plu which may be employed to close the end o 'passage 27 afterthe drilling operation has een performed. 'A rotary conical valve 31 is ground to lit snugly in the seat 25 and has an angular pas- T e valve 31 has a shank 37 which is enlarged at its .extremity and there provided with a threaded opening 33 arranged in axial alignment with the valve 31 and its seat 25. A plug 39 is threaded into the opening 38 and may be held in adjusted position therein by vmeans of a lock nut 40. The plug 39 is hollow for a considerable portion of its length, as shown, receiving the shank 33 and a member 41 in which the tapered end 33 of the shank 33 has a pivotal bearing, a coil spring 42 being interposed between the member 41 and the solid portion of the plug 39.

It will be observed that alltlie movable parts of the control apparatus are carried by the removable cover plate 20. They may, therefore, be 'assembled on the bench as a unit and the proper adjustment of the plug 39 may then be' made to seat the valve with such pressure as will prevent leakage and yet not interfere with its operation by the float. By turning the assembly sidewise the doat may be inserted into the chambei-15irst and then by moving the assembly inward and turning it at the same ytime the arm 37 and parts carried thereby may be guided into place. On account of the fact that the passage 26 is quite small, about one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter, the pressure of liquid .therein tending to unseat thel valve is not very great and may be overcome by a relatively light pressure in spring 42. Furthermore, such leakage as may occur, if any, can do no particular harm since it will be discharged into the chamber 15 which is a v partof the system.

In operation the angular passage 32 in the valve 31 remains open, permitting liquid refrigerant to flowinto the refrigeratin g unit 14 and thence into the float chamber 15, until the liquid in that chamber Areaches a predetermined level, at which time the float 36 will -have rotated the valve in an anti-clockwise direction far enough to break communication between angular passage 32 and passage 27, whereupon theflow of refrigerant to the coil 14 and chamber 15 will. be interrupted.

for a time, that is, -until evaporation has be connected into the dischar e line of the refrigerating unit, sai-d cham er vhaving in one wall thereof a valve seat opening into the interior -of `the. chamber,.-a rotary valve for said seat having a shank projecting into the chamber, said wall having a passagev therein intercepting said valve seat and naines?.

adapted to be connected into the intake line of the refrigerating unit, and means within the chamber for holding the valve to its seat and for operating the valve.

2. @Control mechanism for refrigerating systems, comprising a chamber adapted to be connected into the discharge line of the refrigerating unit, said chamber having in one wall thereof a conical valve seat opening into the interior of the chamber, 'a conical valve for said seat having a shank projecting into the chamber, said Wall having a passage therein leading to the point of said conical seat and away from one side of said seat, said passage being adapted to be connected into the intake line of the refrigerating unit, said valve having an angular passage therein adapted to register with the passage aforesaid, and means within the chamber for causing said passages to register when the liquid in the chamber falls below a predetermined A'the free end of said valve shank and for holdingsaid valve to its seat, and means within the chamber for causing said valve to open said assage when the liquid in the-chamber falls elow a predetermined level.

'4. Control' mechanism for refrigerating systems, comprising a iioat chamber adapted to be connected into the -discharge Pline of the refrigerating unit, said chamber having a removable wall portion on the inner side of which is formed a valve seat, a valve for said Vseat having a shank projecting into the chamber, said wall having a passage therein interceptin said valve seat and adapted to be connecte into the intake line'of the refrigagain lowered the liquid level in the float erating unit, a bearing for the inner end of said shank carried by said removable wall, and a float attached to said shank.

5. Control mechanisms for refrigerating systems, comprising a chamber having a removable wall portion on the inner side ef which is formed a valve seat, a valve for said seat having a shank projecting into thechamber, said wall having a rearwardly projecting armV carrying a bearing for rotatably supporting the free end of said shank andcarrying adjustable means for regulating the pressure of the valve upon the seat.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.y

OLAF C. OLSEN. 

